Cheshire East Council have launched the Government’s streamlined process for permitting local businesses to introduce ‘Al Fresco’ pavement options where appropriate.
This new process introduces a streamlined and cheaper route for businesses such as cafes, restaurants and bars to secure a licence to place furniture on the highway. This will support them to operate safely while social distancing measures remain in place. Businesses will also need to check that they have adequate public liability insurance to cover the area in question, as failure to have a licence may affect their insurance. If businesses choose to apply, this will provide much needed income over the summer months and protect as many hospitality jobs as possible.
Pavement licences are presently granted primarily under Part 7A of the Highways Act 1980. The fee varies between local authorities. However the new process provides a cheaper, easier and quicker way for businesses to obtain a licence. The fee for applying for a licence under the new process, is capped at £100 and the consultation period is 5 working days (excluding public holidays) starting the day after the application is sent electronically to the authority. It is currently a minimum of 28 calendar days under Part 7A.
If Cheshire East Council does not determine the application before the end of the determination period (which is 5 working days beginning with the first day after the end of the public consultation period, excluding public holidays), the licence is deemed to have been granted for a year (but not beyond 30 September 2021) and the business can place the proposed furniture such as tables and chairs within the area set out in the application for the purpose or purposes proposed.
Cllr Janet Clowes (Conservative Group Leader) explained “This variation in the legislation was first published on 22nd June (with further up-dating in late July) and offers a really helpful option for some of our high street catering and hospitality businesses, to help them re-build after four months of the Covid-19 lockdown. This is especially important over the remaining summer period which is why the process is designed to be as fast as possible.”
“In order to vary the Council’s licensing processes, all Political Group Leaders were consulted last week and asked to approve the urgent decision-making process required. On examination of the Government Guidance and the Council’s proposed implementation of it, I was very happy to support its implementation and I would ask all businesses for whom this might be an option to apply as soon as possible”.
For more information on the application and how to apply visit: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/alfresco
To examine the Government Guidance, visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pavement-licences-draft-guid…